Cameroni

Wonderful to see that Trump sees to the heart of the matter, and the real history of the conflict, because indeed it was Ukraine that repeatedly provoked Russia and carries most of the blame for the conflict. Early on Ukraine and Russia could have negotiated a sensible solution but Zelensky, at the behest of that charlatan Boris Johnson, preferred to go to war with a nuclear power. Ukraine went mad dog, and it is good that America is now reigning in the lunatics who blew up the Northstream pipeline. Trump is telling the truth, this war need never have happened, even if he is blanking out Anmerica's and Britain's responsibility for precipitating it when they egged on Zelensky in private talks not to do the deal with Russia way back when.

I love the Taiwanese, all Asians really, highly civilized people, bujt they strike me as overly prone to fear. Like when you go to the bathroom and they tell me they're terrified if I flush toilet paper down the toilet. Instead, to be safe, put it in the bin. Really? Or wearing masks in times of no pollution and no covid, you know it happened! They are so afraid of everything. It's weird. How can you be afraid of Thailand, one of the safest places on earth? As long as you're not driving and breathing.

It's not convincing that this has to do with "wealthy Thais", because it was clear at the outset that the new tax rules would impact wealthy Thais, that was the point. More likely this has to do with the changed economic landscape created by Trump's tariffs, which will greatly affect China and Thailand sees a chance to get more foreign investement from China.

Which just adds to the tragedy, you'd be unable to tell which girls are pretty and which are ugly. Unless we develop very discerning eyesight, or maybe tweak the glasses to develop a program that takes an AI pic without the glasses she's wearing.

From an aesthetic perspective this would be a total nightmare. If you thought girls wearing facemaks during daily outings was bad, imagine them wearing clunky Google/China glasses frames. It would be the death of beauty. Having a beautiful face would become meaningless. All you'd see is a sea of nerds.

Taylor Swift's awesome power should not be underestimated, when those unregistered younger votes sided with Harris, that really brought up Harris' numbers. Of course Trump still won, but those unregistered voters stirred by Swift - what awesome power... Hahahahaha

You can see how at age 29 her Coyote Dancing career was coming to an end. Due to a mismanagement of finances she had to take a chance and roll the dice. Sadly she didn't make it, but the good news a Coyote Dancing spot for a younger girl just opened up. The circle of life.

Why would you prefer Philippines over Thailand? Just curious.

If you google "Bek Sloy" Tik Tok dancers, you will be so hooked on Cambodia you'll actuallly want to move there. I had to stop watching. The temptation was too great.

Yah me too. I was at a restaurant when this obnoxious older German came in. This was a top quality restaurant with Royal Balinese food and this old German in a wheelchair loudly demanded "Pfifferlinge, no I want Pfifferlinge". He called for other staff and the manager asking for this nonsense instead of what was on the menu. Clearly he just wanted to abuse people. It ruined my romantic dinner and I was livid. I went to over to him and told him "Listen, either you shut up or I'll make you shut up". He was quite after that.

First congratulations on taking a very, very long-sighted view. That's very wise and laudable. Right now I have no issue to go to Pattaya once a year. If in 40 years I do find it a struggle, I'd still do it. What doesn't kill me only makes me stronger. Thailand at any cost. If Donmuang can make it to the USA at 87, I'm pretty sure I can make it to Pattaya.

I was paranoid about this. I told the local Visa associate girl I will come to pick up my passport in person in Pattaya. We exchanged Line details and agreed to meet when the passport was ready. When Immigration finalised the visa/extension in record time I was told "It is done" by Mr Big. Mr Big also told me that my passport had been sent from Pattaya to himself in Bangkok. He had not been informed by the local Visa associate girl in Pattaya that I had arranged with her to pick up my passport in person with her in Pattaya. The Visa Associatge girl, terrified of Mr Big, just sent him the passport. When I contacted her "But we agreed that I pick up the passport" and explained I now had to stay in Bangkok 2 more days (the time it took for the passport to travel from Pattaya to Bangkok) she just replied "We don't trouble with the agency". Mr Big must be a dangerous man. So fast forward 3 days later, it took not one but 3 days for my passport to travel from Pattaya to Bangkok because Visa Associate girl had omitted to put Mr Big's address at the post office. When Mr Big finally received my passport I was already back in CM. Mr Big then arranged for my passport to be dropped by Grab (!) at the reception of a well known hotel where one of my associates then retrieved my passport into safety. I was sweating blood sweat and tears knowing my passport was being sent via Grab and Thai Postal service. I am still amazed it was not lost. If anyone does this, make it very clear to all parties you will pick up the passport from the 1st point of contact to avoid your passport going on a Chevy Chase vacation.

Great to hear these success stories, really appreciate the feedback. Just out of interest, why did you change from marriage visa to retirement visa?

Interesting. It is still a small price to pay if you do it yourself. I think the extension done by the agent will get cheaper than the first application, but it is still going to cost more than a medical certificate.

You can't order beef in Thailand. You just can't. Pork is fine. Chicken is fine. Beef, no es bueno. Unless you order in a bona fide Steak house, then yes, otherwise, don't order beef steak.

Unexcusable of course, but Duke's pizza is not bad. These things can happen. I have to say Duke's ribs are not the best in CM by a long shot, but the Pizzas are not bad.

Thanks, this is exactly what I was wanting to hear.

I am 100% confident he can. However, my concern is if he ever retires or his company goes down. Talk about irony.

I rent a car in CM for 8000 Baht a month. I did the maths and with depreciation and running costs it would cost me the same if I bought one. So I will continue to rent. It's convenient, flat battery or tire and the guy comes and fixes it at no charge.

They use my CM address in Pattaya. My TM30 is for CM.

I went to Pattaya because I had iron-clad trust in this agency, because they got me out of a jam before. But I could do either, go to Pattaya again or use CM. I thought Pattaya was cheaper, they charged 35000, but then I had to do a second Pattaya trip that cost 10000 on top, because the Bank changed rules. So not much saving to CM, but I really trust this agent.

Yes it is amazing what you can get in CM these days, but I was just in Bangkok and there is even more choice there. This is why I love Thailand and think it is better than Philippines, Vietnam etc. You can't get there what you can get here.

It was Pattaya, so yes, a backwater province.

Let's say the agent goes under, I guess I could just use one of the other agents if I had to extend/renew? I am in Chiang Mai but I applied in Pattaya.

In Chiang Mai if you crave Western bread, ie French Baguette, you are blessed with "L'Opera". They have bread better than in France. If you crave Burgers, "Rock Me Burger" has burgers better than America. Mix Restaurant next to One Nimman has awesome steak, but it costs of course. For quality Chinese Tolou delivers like in the West. At San Kamphaeng walking street on Saturday's you'll get a quality Chicken Doner from a Halal Muslim guy for 60 Baht. Churros too. Why Ribs make superb ribs in Chiang Mai. Rimping Chiang Mai sells good fresh Bagels if you get there on time. Mega Bangna in Bangkok has Shakeshack. Basically you can get anything in Thailand. Just a question of price.